Although China has only one time zone this is not true when it comes to its weather. With the vastness of the country, it is not surprising that the country’s climate varies from region to region. However, it can be said that the winters in most parts of China can be bitterly cold and summers can be unbearably hot. There are areas like those located in the south and southwest of the country that are warmer during winter, such as Hainan Island, Sichuan and Banna, which is in Yunnan. In the far northeast region of the country, the summers are quite cool and pleasant. The Yangtze River, which divides China into south and north regions, also plays a role in the changing climate in the country.

China is affected by the wet monsoons as well as spell of dry seasons that define the temperature differences during summer and winter. The areas located at a higher altitude are generally affected by the northern winds that make the winter around these regions dry and cold while the southern winds from those areas near the sea and are lower in altitude experience warm and moist summer.

Rainfall comes regularly to China, with the summer monsoon affecting the eastern seashores of the country. The rainy season occurs between the months of May and September. Most of the rain occurs when the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean the southeast monsoon from the western Pacific Ocean enter the mainland of China. The rainy season begins around April and May in the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong and Guangzi in the south. By June the rains will be moving northward and the southern part of China will have more rains. The rainfall that occurs during this time is called plum-rain, as the plums grow mellow during this time. Around July and August, it’s northern China’s turn to have the rainy season. The summer monsoon rains gradually decrease by September and leaves China completely around October.

The country is affected generally by five temperature zones that vary due to monsoonal activities and latitude. The cold-temperate zone is in the north in the region of Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang Province. Harbin, located in the province of Heilongjiang is called the Ice City and very popular of its ski slopes and ice and snow sculpture festival. The cities of Shenyang, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Urumqi, Beijing, Dalian and Hohhot, located in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and northern Xinjiang fall under the mid-temperate zone.

Towards the middle and lower part of the Yellow River, Shaanxi, Shandong, Hebei Province and Shanxi with the cities of Qingdao, Jinan, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan and Xian, the prevailing temperature is within the warm-temperate zone.

On the other hand, Lhasa in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau falls under the plateau climate zone, while the cities of Sanya and Haikou and the provinces of Hainan, Yunnan and Guangdong is in the tropical climate zone. You will enjoy the tropical and sunny weather in Hainan anytime of the year.

Subtropical climate zone prevails in the cities of Macau, Hong Kong, Guilin, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chengdu, Dali, Kunming, Lijiang and Shanghai. Monsoon rains occur during spring and summer. Summers here are quite hot although the winters are mild, although Kunming’s weather is generally pleasantly mild.

Topography also plays a hand in the differing climates in the various regions of China. In the central part of China, around river valleys of Huaihe and Yangtze, these areas have four distinct seasons while the areas south of the Nanling Mountains experience high temperatures and high occurrence of rainfall.

Northwest China receives less rainfall so it can be hot in summer but quite cold in winter. In the northeast, winters are cold and long while the summers are short but you can be assured of continuous sunshine. As the climate and temperature varies, it is best for you to check the climate in the region where you will be traveling so that you can pack the right clothing and accessories. Be prepared for the temperature changes as well the weather conditions by including some essentials such as hat, scarf, light windbreaker, light waterproof jacket and travel umbrella. Be sure to protect your skin by bringing along a large tube of sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizers and a good pair of sunglasses for eye protection.

Although there may be only a few who would want to spend winter in China as a tourist, you may also find yourself in the country during the winter if you are a student, a businessman or someone who like to experience winter in a foreign land. But since China is so vast, it is best to know what kind of climate you can expect from the different regions.

Beijing is located in the north and winter here happens from December to March and you should expect the weather to be very cold. The winter can be dry and the sun hides behind the clouds. At night the temperature can drop to -20 °C or -4 °F. As you go further north expect the temperature to go much higher, and you can be faced with still a very cold -40 °C or about -40 °F. Summer in Beijing is from May to August and the temperature can soar to 38 °C, which is about 100 °F. It may be the summer but you should expect rain in Beijing during this time, as it is the onset of the rainy season. The ideal time to schedule your visit to Beijing is during the spring and autumn seasons when the average daytime temperature is about 20 °C to 30 °C or just about 68 °F to 86 °F. The temperature readings can go lower in the evening. Beijing receives about 25 to 28 inches of rain annually.

The river valleys of the Yangtze River in Central China have long and humid summers, which occur from April up to October. The summer heat can be stifling in Nanjing, Chongqing and Wuhan in Central China. Winters around these parts are also extremely cold, comparable to Beijing and can be wet. Actually the weather patter is quite unpredictable that it can rain anytime of the year, as the area receives an average of 30 inches of rain each year.

If you are going to Guangzhou, which is in southern China, typhoon season here is during summer, which is between the months of July and September. Around this city, the temperature can rise to about 38 °C or 100.4 °F. Winter, which occurs between January and March, is quite short and not that cold as the regions in the north but it will still be wide to be prepared and have warmer clothes with you. Spring and autumn are also the best times to visit Guangzhou as daytime temperatures during these time are cool and mild, averaging between 20 °C to 25 °C which is just about the range of 68 °F to 75 °F. However, it can be occasionally a wet and cold spring or autumn, as the city receives an average of 30 inches of rain a year, so you can expect some drizzle or stronger rain at times.

In northwest China where the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang is located, is the desert region of the country. As expected the summer here is dry, sunny and can be scorching hot, particularly during the daytime hours. Turpan actually is situated in the depression that is 150 meters below sea level and is therefore considered as the hottest area in China. You can expect the temperature in Turpan to soar up to 47 °C or an unbearably hot 116.6 °F. In contrast it can be severely cold during wintertime in northwest China although in Turpan, the winter can be slightly warmer and favorable to locals and visitors. The region is not frequented by rain, receiving only about 4 inches of rain annually on the average and dry air is prevalent. Summer temperature average fluctuates around the region of 40 °C or 104 °F range and higher and winter temperature can be around -10 °C or 14 °F.

The autonomous region of Tibet, considered one of the harshest places on earth, experiences freezing winters and cool summers. The city of Lhasa has the mildest weather, with the summer temperature hovering in the 29 °C or 84 °F range. It’s a different story in winter though, as temperature can drop to -16 °C or slightly over 3 °F.

Do not be fooled by the mild weather though as sun radiation in Tibet is very strong. Do not forget to protect your skin, lips, face and eyes. Intense sunlight can be experienced in Lhasa, which is known as the City of Sunlight. This is due to the thinness of the air in the city as well as the rest of Tibet, so heat cannot be blocked off or retained. If you want to tour Tibet, the best time to visit will be from April to October. Avoid the months of December up to February, as these are the coldest months here. South Tibet is particularly balmy from May to October so you can have a grand time visiting the cities of Nyingchi, Lhasa and Shigatse. It gets windy around November until May and rains occur around June up to September.

To experience the best of China in any weather, you have to be prepared. Plan your travel itinerary well and pack the necessary things for your journey around China. Check the prevailing climate and temperatures of the cities you plan to visit so you will not be caught unawares. Plan for the hot but occasionally wet summer, by packing clothes made from natural fabrics that will keep you cool. At the same time be ready for the sudden downpour by carrying a small travel umbrella, a hat and scarf and a lightweight waterproof coat. If you will be in China around the cooler months be sure to bring thicker and warmer clothes, woolen scarf, mittens, probably fur-lined boots and jackets. With advance planning and checking the information and tips we have included in our Travel Guide China, you can be sure that you will have an enjoyable time as you explore this great country.